Utility receptacle and armrest



April 15, 1924. 1,490,538

H. E. OWEN UTILITY RECEPTACLE AND ARMREST Filed Dec. 21 1921 [NI/E/VTUR. HARRY E. OWf/Y.

Patented 115, 192 i.

HARRY E. SWEET, 0F SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

UTILITY REGEPTACLE AND ARltIBEST.

Application filed December 21, 1921. Serial 1%. 523,936.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY E. OWEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clarke and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Utility Iteceptacles and Armrests, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in arm' rests, and has reference to arm rest devices for automobiles, and to the providing of a device of this'kind for the especial use and service of the car driver. In long continued driving, the driver, besides feeling the need of a-device upon which his arm may rest, also may need to consult his map, or compass, or to have available his pencil or note book, and such other small conveniences as his necessities may suggest.

To afi'ord the above advantages is the aim of my present invention and which is comprised in the new construction, combination and arrangement of parts described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved utility receptacle and arm rest.

Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view, the cover plate being at open position.

Figure 4: is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line4 in Figure 1.

The several parts of the device are identified by suitable characters applied thereto in the difierent views.

My improved utility receptacle and arm rest consists of the box like container adapted to retain a number of articles of use to the car occupant, and which container is capable of being attached to the side of the automobile at a location near the drivers arm; the top or cover of the box being of conformation to constitute a rest or supintegrally with the frontal plate A has elongated plate A disposed against the side of the car or body, and may be secured by suitable screws or bolts inserted through holes A In the present embodiment of my invention this deck plate B is seventeen inches long. The several receptacles or compartments presently to be described are bounded by the raised rims of lips C and D. A cover plate E of convex shell-like form has the inner faces of its sides and ends of contour to register with the outer faces of the lip C, the bottom faces of the cover plate being of surface and alignment to register closely throughout their entire length with the top face of the deck plate A suitable hinge for the cover plate may consist of a plunger F retained in the bore G of the frame, and which plunger is pressed by a coil spring H against the inside face of the lug E. In lugs A formed integrally with the wall A and which said lugs register at positions adjacent to the lugs E of the cover plate, are retained the hinge bar J provided at its ends with neatly formed caps J By the construction just described it is apparent that the cover plate, when at the lowered position shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, constitutes a close and Water tight cover for the receptacles. Inset in the recessed portion of the top of the cover plate is a panel E of soft fabric such as leather or ribbed rubber. E designates a spring lock for the cover plate.

The receptacle K is closed by the cover plate L which is provided on its top with a roughed panel L and which cover plate has a hinge connection similar to that described for the cover plate E.

An important feature of my invention is the construction and combination and arrangement of the walls, bottom plates and partitions by which the frame portion of the device is rendered not only economical of construction, but at the same time affords spacious compartments for articles of use to the car passenger or driver.

By the arrangement of the vertical wall M is provided a space between wall A and wall M in which a note or memorandum book may be reposed. Above this space is a wider expanse between wall A and wall N for papers or maps. Between the wall N and upper part of wall A a oove or seat is provided for a lead penci or other writing implement.

Between transverse partitions 0, P and Q may be placed cigars, and in the compartment bounded by partition Q and the end wall A may be carried a small package, or articles of small size, or perhaps a pack of cigarettes. In the circular space formed by the partitions R is reposed a magnetic comass. p By the construction shown, the frame although of comparatively small dimensions, is capacious, and the contents are so retained in the several compartments that dislodgment or disordering of same is impossible.

The form of my improved utility receptacle and arm rest most generally used, is that shown in the drawing, and intended to be secured to the car body or car door at'the left side of the driver. The utility of the device is apparent; the openings A in the face or connecting plate may be spaced a given standard distance apart, or they may be spaced apart ,or located according to fastenings provided therefor and at locations on the car door or side, according to the owners specification. When secured to place, the device is the most convenient location and constitutes a rest or support for the drivers arm. Matches contained in the receptacle K are easily available by lifting the cover plate L and which is retained normally closed by spring hinge connection hereinbefore described. The cover plate E is similarly hinged, and vibration of either of the cover plates is avoided. The receptacle is neat in appearance and is weatherproof, it being impossible for water to pass between the edges of the cover plates and the inside of the compartments. I

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An arm rest and utility rece tacle for automobiles, comprising a metal eck plate having integrally formed side and end walls and bottom, and a vertical leg formed integrally on the right hand side of said deck plate and adapted to be attached to the left hand side of the automobile, and there being a separate compartment at the forward portion of said deck plate, a hinged cover plate for said forward compartment, there being a raised rim constituting a vertical flange for said compartment, and which rim is engaged by the inner edge of said cover plate.

2. An arm rest and utility receptacle for automobiles, comprising a deck plate having integrally formed side and end walls and bottom, the said bottom being of form to constitute compartments and there being a continuous vertical rim near the outer edge of said deck plate, a vertical leg formed integrally of the right hand of said deck plate and adapted to be attached to the left hand side of the automobile, a cover plate of convex form in cross section hinged upon its left hand side and adapted to close down on the outside of said vertical continuous rim.

3. An arm rest and utility receptacles for automobiles, comprising a metal deck plate having integrally formed side and end walls and bottom, the said bottom being of form to constitute transverse and also longitudinal compartments of various depths and there being a continuous vertical rim near the outer edge of said deck plate, a vertical leg formed integrally on the right hand side of said deck plate, a cover plate of convex form to afford space above said compartments and to engage the outer edge of said continuous vertical rim, the said cover plate being hinged at its left side, a separate compartment at the forward portion of the said deck plate and which is provided with a continuous raised or vertical rim, and a hinged cover plate of convex form to afford space above said compartment and to engage the said vertical rim when it is at closed position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HARRY E. OW'EN. 

